AN: Here's the latest update for all of you. I hope you enjoy this. PLZ R&R!

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Chapter 21: Shopping Trip

On Saturday morning, Ryan was sitting at the counter eating a bowl of cereal as Derek sat next to him drinking a cup of coffee as he read the paper. Neither of them were saying anything, but every so often Derek glanced over at Ryan and smiled. Once Ryan finished his cereal he hopped off the stool and took his bowl to the sink.

"Are we doing anything today?" Ryan climbed back onto the stool and Derek gave him the comics.

"Actually, Penelope is on her way with JJ and Emily." Derek told him. "They are going to be taking you somewhere."

"Where?"

"Not telling," he smiled at him.

When Penelope walked through the door a little while later, Ryan and Derek had moved to the floor of the living room and were playing with Clooney.

"There are my boys," Penelope smiled at them.

"Hey Baby Girl," Derek smiled at her.

"Derek said you were going to take me somewhere," Ryan got up and went to her.

"I am taking you shopping," she smiled at him. "JJ, Emily and Fran are waiting outside. Along with Henry, and we talked Hotch into letting us take Jack along with us as well."

"What about Derek?"

"I have a couple projects to do here," Derek joined them. "But I will meet you there in a little while with everyone else. You need some new clothes and I am so not good with that kind of thing."

"Luckily I am," Penelope smiled at him. "But we're not just clothes shopping. We need other things as well. You need school supplies-"

"Make sure you save that for when I get there," Derek told her.

"Will do," She kissed him before leading Ryan out of the house.

Ryan climbed into the back of Esther and buckled as everyone pulled out of the driveway again. Derek waved them off and went back into the house to get started on his project.

Ryan followed close behind Penelope as she and Fran talked about what else that they needed to get for Ryan. JJ and Emily followed close behind them; to prevent Jack and Henry from attempting to run off, they had rented one of the wagons from the front entrance of the mall.

Ryan was impressed with how much they had all accumulated just within the hour that they had been there. There were a handful of nice school clothes that consisted of jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, button-up shirts and footwear. Fran took care of the uncomfortable item-collecting; underpants, as well as socks, new pajamas and another bathrobe. Then there were more footwear; running shoes for his physical education class, two pairs of Nikes for everyday, and dress shoes for special occasions.

Fran had also insisted on getting Ryan a suit; just in case, so they didn't have to try to come to the mall to buy him one if they needed one for him at the last minute.

"This is a lot," Ryan mumbled.

"Nonsense," Penelope dismissed his comment. "We're just getting started."

"This is my opportunity to spoil you," Fran added.

"Just give it up kid," Emily whispered to him.

"Those two shopping individually is bad enough," JJ told him. "But once they get together-well, you'll never win this. So don't fight it."

"He needs a couple jackets," Fran commented. "And it will be winter soon, so he's going to need a winter coat, along with some hats, gloves, scarves and some boots of course."

"Does it snow a lot here?" Ryan asked.

"Sometimes,"

"I've never seen snow up close,"

"I didn't either until I moved out here," Penelope smiled at him. "Once you get past how cold it gets, you'll love it!"

Ryan slowly followed them into the next store where they accumulated yet more clothing and footwear for him. They had so many bags that Emily had gone to go rent another wagon so they didn't have to carry it all. By mid-afternoon, their energy was starting to waver so they all stopped at the food court. Ryan sat eating his cheeseburger at a table with Jack and Henry as they all shared a big platter of fries set in the middle of the table. The rest of them sat at the table next to them as they smiled at the boys getting along so well.

Sandy and Kirsten Cohen had just finished breakfast when the doorbell rang. They went to go answer it and saw that it was Paul and Tim; each holding a file folder in their hands.

"We found some things," Tim started.

"Hold on," Sandy closed the door behind them and went to go check on Seth, who was holed up in the den. "He's still playing his video game, so let's go into my office."

The four of them filed in and Sandy shut the door firmly behind them. They all sat down with Sandy and Kirsten facing Paul and Tim.

"Well," Tim started. "This is not good news."

"How bad is it?" Sandy asked. "What did you find on Agent Morgan?"

"That's not what I meant," the private investigator shook his head. "I mean, that this is not good news for you. Derek Morgan is clean as a whistle, there's nothing incriminating about him."

"There has to be something," Kirsten pleaded.

"The only thing that raised some red flags is his juvenile record," Tim handed it over to Sandy. "He strayed a little after he witnessed his father's murder. But he got back on the straight and narrow again."

"What is all this?" Sandy started looking through the file.

"Derek Morgan in a nutshell," Paul spoke up. "He grew up in the South Side of Chicago. After his father died, he and his two sisters were raised by their single mother. He started having behavioral problems after his father's death and received a juvenile record for fighting. That record was expunged though, by a local youth center coordinator. Mr. Morgan got into football and received a full ride scholarship to Northwestern University and studied law. He blew his knee out which ended his football career. He served in the bomb squad and was an officer at the Chicago PD before joining the FBI."

"You got to give us something," Sandy demanded.

"I'm sorry, you have no case against Derek Morgan." Paul told them.

"I did find something," Tim spoke up. "Fran Rossi-that's his mom-she married David Rossi. I discovered that she made one of those family websites. To keep her daughters updated on the rest of the family since they still reside in Chicago. I was able to find someone to hack in and view the site."

"So?"

"So do you want to know current details about Ryan or not?"

"Ryan?" they all looked towards the door and saw Seth standing there.

"Seth-"

"Did you find him?" Seth looked at all of the adults. "Is he coming back?"

"We'll go," Tim stood up as Paul gathered his things.

"Word of advice," Paul looked at them. "I wouldn't try to take on Derek Morgan. He won't back down and you'll just end up hurting the kid in the process."

Sandy walked them out and joined Seth and Kirsten in the living room. He sat on the other side of Seth and pulled him close.

"We found Ryan," he started.

"So he's coming back?" his son's hopeful eyes looked up into his defeated ones and it broke his heart.

"No, he can't come back."

"Why not?"

"Because he's in Virginia now," Kirsten told him.

"But he was here first," Seth protested.

"He's living with a new family now," Kirsten teared up.

"Let's just go get him." Seth stood up.

"Son," Sandy pulled him back. "We can't."

"Ryan belongs here!" Seth stated.

"As much as we'd like to fly out and go get him, he has a new life now."

"It's not fair!"

"Honey," Kirsten started.

"No!" Seth ran from the room and stomped all the way up the stairs and they listened as he slammed his door shut.

"There's nothing we can do," Sandy sighed.

"Unless we find something out about Agent Morgan and his extended family."

"Do we really want to do that to the kid?"

"Are you giving up?"

"No, but if Ryan's happy where he is-"

"Well I'm not giving up," Kirsten stormed out of the room.

Sandy sighed as he laid his head back on the couch. These were the times that he didn't like; when his wife reminded him of his father-in-law.

They had all just finished lunch when they ran into all the guys just arriving at the mall. Derek smiled as Ryan ran to him once he spotted him and picked him up as he greeted Penelope with a deep kiss.

"If you're going to do that, put me down." Ryan commented.

"Sorry kid," Derek pulled away as he spotted all the bags in the spare wagon. "Did you get him enough?"

"Probably not," Fran told him, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Hey!" Penelope smacked him. "He needs this stuff."

"Did you get him anything just for fun yet?" Derek finally set Ryan down.

"Not yet,"

"How about we let him pick out something that he wants after we get all his school supplies?"

"Sounds like a plan Hot Stuff." She smiled at him.

Derek, Penelope and Ryan went into a nearby store as everyone else went off to do their own thing. Penelope started scanning the aisles for all the supplies that was on the list that was sent home with Derek.

"Heavy-duty book bag," Derek read off. "I'll say, with all the stuff that I was sent home with."

"He doesn't have to lug it all back and forth," she told him.

"This one," Ryan pulled a blue and gray book bag from the rack.

"That's perfect actually," Penelope opened it. "It has a special compartment so that he can secure his Netbook."

"And let's see," Derek scanned the list. "Two one inch 3-ring binders…four folders, different colors…four composition notebooks…index cards…two packs of no. 2 pencils, not mechanical…four yellow highlighters…one pack of wide-ruled notebook paper…and why does he need a pair of ear buds?"

"For the Netbook," Penelope shrugged. "Probably so he doesn't distract the other kids when he's working on it."

"I guess," Derek placed a lunch bag on the top of the supplies. "Are we ready to check out?"

"I believe so," Penelope followed Derek to the counter.

"Why don't you two go find something that Ryan would like while I pay for all this," Derek told them.

"Come on Ryan," Penelope led him out. "There are still a few stores that we haven't been to yet."

Ryan followed behind Penelope as she walked into a few random stores. They scanned the items for a few minutes before walking back out. Nothing seemed to pique Ryan's interest until they were walking back to meet up with the others. Penelope turned around when she realized that Ryan wasn't walking beside her and saw him walking into a nearby store. She caught up to him as a sales clerk was showing him around.

"I don't know if Derek will like this," Penelope told him.

"He said anything I wanted," Ryan told her.

"Do you know how to play?"

"I used to,"

"We offer lessons here," the sales clerk told her.

"And I think they have a class at my new school," Ryan said.

"You really want this?" she looked at him and he nodded. "All right, but we need a case….."

After the big purchase, Penelope left Ryan with the others and went in search of Derek. She found him in front of the movie theatre looking at all the movie posters.

"Hey," he spotted her walking up to him. "Do you think Ryan likes the Avengers?"

"Maybe," she kissed his cheek. "So don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad?" he looked at her as they started to walk back to the group.

"I bought Ryan something. He said that he really wanted it."

"Good," he smiled at her.

"Hold that thought," she pointed as they got back to the group.

Derek turned to look and saw Ryan balancing an acoustic guitar on his lap as he sat on a bench. He was strumming the strings with a pick as Jack and Henry stared in awe at the new gift.

"Baby-"

"He said he played before," Penelope interrupted him. "The sales clerk said they offer lessons at the store, and Ryan said there's a music class at school."

"Yeah, his eyes lit up when we were shown the music room."

"He said he really wanted it,"

"Fine," Derek walked over to Ryan and he froze.

"You're not making me take it back are you?" Ryan asked softly.

"Not if this is something that you really want."

"I really do."

"Then you can keep it," Derek told him and he smiled at him.

"Thank you," Ryan hugged him.

"But right now, we need to take all this to the car and lock it up." Derek told everyone. "I thought we could all take the kids to see the new Avengers movie."

"Yeah!" Jack announced.

Everyone helped them take everything out to the parking lot and loaded it all into the trunk of Derek's car as well as the back seat. He locked up the car again and they all walked back inside and towards the movie theatre. They all waited in line as they got all the popcorn and movie snacks. Ryan, Jack and Henry each got a kid pack to enjoy; which consisted of a fold-out box that held their popcorn, drink and candy of their choice. The big group started into the theatre and tried to find an area that would fit all of them.

"Can we sit with you Spencer?" Ryan looked at him.

"Absolutely," he smiled at him as they found some seats and the three boys followed behind Reid.

"I'll allow this," Derek looked back at them. "But I don't want to hear any talking out of you during the movie, Pretty Boy."

"So that means I can talk during the movie?" Ryan asked. "And Jack and Henry can too?"

"Just let me actually be able to know what this movie is about when we walk out of here," Derek smiled at him and he turned back around as the lights dimmed and the previews started.

"We should try to bring him to see a movie at least once a month," Derek said.

"I like that idea," Penelope smiled at him as she took the big bag of popcorn from him. "I get to hold this."

Throughout the movie, Jack and Henry could be heard talking and giggling as Ryan kept shushing them. The adults would keep giving them warnings, but smiled once they turned back to the movie. They all filed out of the theatre after the movie ended as they saw that it was starting to get dark out.

"Quick," JJ rushed up to Derek and Penelope. "Hotch just volunteered to have the boys sleep over at his place so the parents can have a date night. We need to get back home, pack them overnight bags and drop them off before he realizes what he just signed up for and changes his mind."

"Date night?" Derek looked at Penelope. "I can make reservations at your favorite restaurant."

"Let's do it," she smiled at him as Ryan caught up to them. "Hey buddy, good news. Hotch says you can have a sleepover at his house with Jack and Henry."

"Really?"

"Absolutely,"

"Can I take my new guitar?"

"I guess that's up to Hotch," Derek told him.

"What is?" Hotch approached them.

"Ryan wants to take his new guitar to the sleepover,"

"Fine with me," he smiled at Ryan.

"Cool," Ryan ran over to Jack.

"You really have no idea what you just signed on for," Derek looked at his boss.

"Not to worry," Emily came up to them. "I volunteered to help him tonight."

"Only because Jack wants you to come over," Hotch looked at her.

"Well good luck to you both," Penelope smiled. "We should go get Ryan's overnight bag packed."

"We'll see you in a little bit." Derek told him as they pulled Ryan away from Jack as everyone started out towards the parking lot.

Derek unlocked the door to his place and led Penelope back inside before locking the door behind them. They had dropped off Ryan at Hotch's hours ago, and he was excited to have a sleepover with his friends. Derek and Penelope had just had a romantic evening at their favorite restaurant and then taken a walk along the river before finally deciding to call it a night.

"This was a very good night," Penelope kissed him deeply on the lips, catching him off-guard.

"Wow," he breathed after they finally pulled apart. "I would really like to continue this, but I want to show you something first."

"And what is that?" she smiled at him.

"Come on," he started to lead her upstairs. "Remember that project that I had to work on today?"

"Yeah," she followed him into the master bedroom.

"Well I made some changes," Derek opened his closet and she saw all his clothes pushed to one side as there were some markings on the wall. "And there's more."

He took her to his dresser and showed her the top two empty drawers. Then he took her to his bathroom and she saw the empty space where his bathroom supplies usually were.

"What is all this?" she looked at him.

"It means that I want to take the next step with you,"

"Derek-"

"I know you don't want to go too fast," he told her. "But if you ever wanted to keep some of your things here, I wouldn't mind. And also…."

She watched as he pulled a velvet ring box out of his pocket and opened it.

"Wait," she started.

"It's not what you think it is," he showed her the gold band with the heart shape on top. "It's a kind of promise ring, but not that kind of promise ring."

"What do you mean?"

"This is a promise that I want more with you in the future. It means that I'm willing to wait as long as it takes to make you a part of my family. If I have to wait forever then I will."

"You'd really do that for me?" she asked softly.

"This is it for me, Baby Girl." He kissed her deeply. "I am willing to wait-"

"I love you," she interrupted him.

"I love you too," he smiled at her.

"Thank you for being so understanding."

"Thank you for giving me a chance to make you happy," he smiled as she pushed him back on the bed. "Even more happy."

"Shut up and enjoy this Handsome,"

"As you wish Princess," he smiled as their clothing was shed and she started to pepper him with kisses along his neck.

AN: So what'd you all think? I hope you liked this. PLZ R&R!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to post something before Christmas next week. Just in case I'm not able to, I hope everyone enjoys whatever holiday they celebrate.